I have owned numerous sports cars and feel confident in my ability to get through the gears of my S very efficiently. Only thing is, I have never taken any of my sports cars to the track. I thought going to a 1/4 mile track would be a good start, to truly evaluate my ability. Then, in time, step up to a road course track.

First of all, where in Central Florida is there a good track for me to loose my cherry?

Next, what advise can you offer a track rookie?

Thank you in advance for your needed advice.

 

If I were you go to www.chinmotorsports.com . They organize several track (or driver education) events in the area. Price includes an instructor for novices.

 

I will check into it.

Big game for those Canes this week.

As a Gator, I am surely not satisfied with our football season, but basketball is quite strong. We got revenge for that humiliation of a football game, last week, with a squeeker win in basketball over UM.

Thanks for the help.

 

Track Driving is a drug. So, depending on how much you are willing to pay for the drug will also reflect in how much you will get out of that particular track. This is how I look at it:

-- drag racing: 1/4 mile, maybe 4 runs (give or take) approximately 15 seconds each of seat time on the track at limit. cost: 10-20 bucks. Least likely to have any incidents on the track, but does put much abuse on the drivetrain (clutch/rear end). estimate cost per minute: $15

-- autocross: under 65 miles an hour, parking lot, timed, going around cones, builds skill and can be transferred to normal street driving. Each session is approximately 1 minute long and you get about 5 runs during a full day. It costs 15-20 bucks depending on membership and event holder. Least likely to have any incidents, and very little abuse to the car besides tossing it around and going through the gate. Eventually, extra wheels and tires will be wanted for sticky responses, and that should be your only expense. estimate cost per minute: $4

-- DE/Driver Education/Lapping Days: well over 65 miles an hour, pushing the car around all corners. Held with instructors most of the time and costs anywhere between $150 a day to $350 a weekend. I typically pay $250 for a weekend of 4 (sometimes more) sessions consisting of 20-25 minute runs. Least likely to have an incident, but it does happen on rare occassions. However when it does it usually involves yourself and not other cars because you are off track. Hazards are dependent on the track and how hard you push it. Skill building - definately! Wear and tear on the car - tires & brake pads, and eventually... shocks. estimate cost per minute: $1.56

I'm quite sure you can go to a 1/4 mile track and find out what kind of time you can get and how to launch the car while shifting quickly. But its not for me, and I don't recommend it for this car. Honestly, start out with an autocross event if you dont' want to dive into the road course. That will help you out the best in skill building.

 

Thanks Schatten,

Great information!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Schatten
[-- DE/Driver Education/Lapping Days:

 

Hmmm 245 miles at sebring the other weekend.
Track fee 250
Hotel 75
Honda Fuel... 30 gallons @1.80 54
Brakes 1 3/4 sets of Ferrodo 3000's 200 +
about 30% of a set of Kumhos 200
Fuel to drive the van and trailer round trip 80
Meals... depends on you, but me 80 or so
Wear and tear on the car ??
3 Mini dv tapes to record all the fun 20
Feeling I get when my laptimer shows me a new fast lap...... Priceless!